Nov 30 (newsonjapan.com) - Japan is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world, with an astonishing 99% of its population being ethnically Japanese.
However, it's still worth considering studying at a Japanese university because many are ranked among the best in Asia. And regardless of your ethnicity, Japan has always been known for its beauty and unique culture.
Japan’s higher education system is one of the most heavily regulated in the world, which leads to high-quality universities and standardized curricula. Here is a list of seven internationally-recognized top-ranking universities in Japan:
The Ranking of Japanese Universities
The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo is Japan’s top-ranked university. It was founded in 1877 and is the second-oldest university in the country. The University of Tokyo is a comprehensive research university and ranks highly in almost all international rankings.
Tokyo is a huge, beautiful city that has everything you could ever want. With a population of over 13 million people, it's the most populous city in the world. Tokyo is also a center for culture and finance, as well as a hub for international business.
The level of science is generally similar to top European nations. For example, robotics and tissue engineering are strong research fields in Japan.
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tokyo Institute of Technology is a public research university that was founded in 1881. It is a comprehensive university that has a well-balanced curriculum in engineering, natural sciences, and humanities. It ranks number three in the QS World University Rankings.
For any foreign students with limited capability of Japanese language skill, I would surely recommend the Tokyo Institute of Technology as it has a great reputation in Computer Science and AI (it hosts one of the best green supercomputers in the world, Tsubame Supercomputer) and also offer the International Graduate Program (IGP) so you may take the full courses in English.
Kyoto University
Kyoto University is one of Japan’s most prestigious national universities. It was established in 1897 and has the third-highest ranking on the QS World University Rankings. Kyoto University was originally founded as Kyoto Imperial University. It gained its current name in 1947.
Kyoto is a historic city with ancient temples and traditional Japanese culture. Kyoto's population is just over 1 million people, making it a great choice if you want to study Japanese but also have opportunities to explore other cultures.
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is a national public research university that is located in Sapporo, which is the capital of Hokkaido. It’s not as big as Tokyo, but also not the countryside. Everything you need is available in the city center, which is just a couple of minutes away from the University.
It has a museum inside its campus, but if you ask me, the whole campus is a museum with so many treasured beauties. A personal favorite of many international students is the Ohno pond, sitting by its side, where one can pass one entire day just by looking at the transparent water!
Osaka University
Osaka is one of the most economically developed metropolitan areas in Japan, so you get the best of both worlds. Osaka's population is just over 2 million people, so there are plenty of opportunities to get immersed in Japanese culture while still having access to international lifestyle opportunities.
Being one of the top 5 universities in Japan, with majors in STEM Sciences having state-of-the-art facilities makes it easy to live in, extracurricular activities are fun as well.
As expected, classes (since they are held in Japanese) are quite tough, but there are a LOT of international students, so you won’t feel that loss.
To sum it up, it’s a great university with amazing (and smart) people.
Keio University
Keio University is located in suburban Tokyo and has about 16,000 students. It's one of the most prestigious universities in Japan and is often ranked among the top 10 universities in Asia.
Keio University provides many classes in English, so obviously you have plenty of choices to pick up the course. However, it is true that some courses are not intriguing and somewhat dull. Therefore, I recommend you research the syllabus and reputation.
Waseda University
Waseda University is the oldest private university in Japan and has about 25,000 students. It's also one of the most prestigious universities in Europe.
The engineering faculty in Waseda has its own campus, so it’s big. If you are majoring in mechanical engineering, then you can go on and specialize in one of those fields: robotics, visual engineering, automobile, biomedical robotics, internal combustion engine, and a few other fields.
The professors here also have good connections with Japanese firms, so if you want to work in Japan after graduation, you’ve had your path ready for you.
Why Study in Japan?
Japan has long been a popular destination for international students. There are a number of reasons why it's such a popular choice:
- Japanese universities often rank among the best in Asia.
- The Japanese education system is heavily regulated, which ensures high-quality teaching and curricula. Studying abroad in Japan is a great way to experience a different culture and learn more about Asian life.
- Japan is a very safe country with a low crime rate.
- The cost of living in Japan is low compared to other popular studies abroad destinations, such as Western Europe or Australia.
- Japanese universities typically allow students to study part-time while working, which may be difficult to do in other countries.
- Japanese universities typically allow you to change majors, which may not be an option in other countries.
Summary
Basic points to be considered are:
- The program and subjects you want to study is available
- Study fee is in your budget
- Quality of education is good
- Degree is internationally recognized
- Gaining the knowledge should match your future plans
A professional essay writer from Custom Writings, Lauren Bradshaw, suggests that one should make sure to include geography, climate, campus environment, and social life, country preference, affordability, and so forth because a big part of this may be that you have a particular major that you must have since not all schools will have all things or degree types.
